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Newly signed goalkeeper George Long was tested several times early in the game with the North London side aiming to break the deadlock. However, Pepe and Eddie Nketiah all failed to find the net.
Arsenal almost paid for their missed opportunities when Connor Mahoney’s free-kick was headed off the base of the goalpost by Jake Cooper, albeit, Arthur Okonkwo’s quick reflexes denied Benik Afobe from six yards.
Few minutes before the half-time break, Calum Chambers put the English topflight side ahead by heading home a rebound from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s scissor-kick on the edge of the box.
At half-time, Arteta brought introduced Albert Lokonga for his debut alongside Nuno Tavares, Karl Hein and Alexandre Lacazette.
GabonLondonCity-ofUnited-kingdomBrazilGaboneseBrazilianAlex-mitchellGeorge-longConnor-mahoneyJake-cooperCalum-chambersLokonga’s move makes him the latest player of African background in Mikel Arteta’s team.
Others are Thomas Partey (Ghana), Bukayo Saka (Nigeria), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nicolas Pepe (Cote d'Ivoire), Nuno Tavares, (Cape Verde), Mohamed Elneny (Egypt), Folarin Balogun (Nigeria), Eddie Nketiah (Nigeria), and Arthur Okonkwo (Nigeria).
“It’s good to see the Gunners improving their squad with more African players. I think Arsenal should be renamed Africa FC,” Olorundare told Goal.
“Lokonga’s move to Mikel Arteta’s squad is a testimony that the club trust Africans with their bid to win laurels in the next season.
“There used to be a time when players from Africa were not considered good for even the substitute bench of a second division club in Europe.
BrentfordHounslowUnited-kingdomCape-verdeAnderlechtBruxelles-capitaleBelgiumLondonCity-ofMadridSpainNuno-tavares